CHANGING YOUR DEFAULT SETTINGS Kay K. Peebles 03/22/2019 19.08
My computer was acting crazy and I knew I needed help! It had to be a computer virus and I had no idea how to solve my dilemma. I called “trouble shooting” and the person on the phone was happy to help fix my computer for a hefty price. They sent me to a website which would allow me to give the tech control over my computer in order to solve the problem. The tech then asked me, “May I have permission to change your default settings?” Desperate as I was, I said “yes”.
The tech began to manipulate different functions while I watched. He moved so quickly there was no way I could learn how to fix it on my own. Within an hour or so my computer was completely up and running normal. Peace had returned.
It is very frustrating when circumstances in our life become out of control and we have no idea how to solve the problem. The Lord provided a “handbook” called the Bible, which is extremely powerful and helpful for most situations. Many of life’s scenarios are discussed in the scriptures, but it helps to have navigated its pages many times so that one is very familiar with the location of its pertinent and life-transforming information.
Proverbs 1:7 states, “The FEAR of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The definition of fear in the context of this scripture is a worshipful, reverential awe and respect of God, His wisdom and His holiness.
Reading and studying the Bible not only inspires me continually, it is a teacher of what is moral, proper, honest, good and holy. It gives insight into the nature, character and power of God, while it demonstrates the love, compassion, mercy and grace of God toward mankind. It also explains the disastrous results sin and evil cause mankind when we ignore God’s wisdom and mercy.
However, there are many times the Word of God does not have the specific answers we need. Thank God, He has given us the Holy Spirit! Like that “tech support” I called to help with my computer, the Holy Spirit is there for us. He’s available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Jesus needed the Holy Spirit for His ministry here on earth. Luke 3:22 describes His baptism; “And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove and a voice came from heaven, saying You are My Son, My Beloved! In You I am well pleased and find delight.” Even Jesus needed the Holy Spirit’s presence and affirmation as He was stepping into His ministry. Immediately afterward Luke 4:1 explains, Jesus “full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit returned from the Jordan and was led [by] the [Holy] Spirit.” He went into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days while being tempted and tried by the devil.
Through the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit Jesus withstood against all temptation. “Jesus went back full of and under the power of the [Holy] Spirit into Galilee…” Luke 4:14. If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit then we need Him even more!
Toward the end of His ministry, Jesus taught His disciples about the Holy Spirit. He explained that the Holy Spirt is “the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby). In other words, He has the same DNA as Jesus and the Father. He also told them the Holy Spirit would be sent to them by the Father “in Jesus’ name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf]. He will teach you all things, and He will cause you to recall everything I have told you.” John 14:26.
Because the Holy Spirit is sent to us by the Father, we can be assured He desires for us all to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:9-13 says, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened…If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Jesus warned His disciples to be aware of the falsehood and hypocrisy of the Pharisees by exposing their corruption. He was preparing them for the persecution that would surely come after His death and resurrection. He encouraged them not to be fearful. “And when they bring you before the synagogues and the magistrates and authorities, do not be anxious how you shall reply in defense of what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour and moment what [you] ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12. By this we not only know that the Holy Spirit is our teacher, but in John 16:13 we know He leads us into all truth because He is the Spirit of Truth!
The Jews who believed in Jesus were told by Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32. So, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, Jesus is the word of God and His word is truth! If we know the truth, the truth shall make us free. He continues in John 17:17 by saying, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is Truth.” We are made holy by the knowledge of the truth. This knowledge or understanding of the truth is not based on merely knowing it is located in a certain chapter in the Bible. It is the result of a deep, intimate understanding the Holy Spirit has revealed to us, so that through faith it becomes a part of us, transforming our thoughts and actions.
After Jesus’ death, He appeared to his disciples several times. John Chapter 20 describes the occurrences including His commissioning them to carry the Gospel. “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” John 20:21-22. At that moment they received the first installment of the Holy Spirit. It was the down payment of what was to come at Pentecost. But He also commanded them to wait in the upper room “for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; ‘for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Acts 1:4-5. He continued to say to them, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
We do not need a degree in theology to understand the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus Himself said the Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth! We do not have to be ordained to know and understand the word of God, we need the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without the infusion and in-filling of the fullness of the Holy Spirit, we cannot fully walk in the Spirit. We need the power of God inside of us to get the victory over sin and bondage. We need the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus walked in to lay hands on the sick and cast out demons!
It must take something powerful to change our mindset and re-program our “virus” driven lives. We are like my computer. We must realize that to walk in complete freedom and holiness we need to be completely immersed in the Holy Spirit until He fully saturates our entire being! We need the same fire the Apostles experienced on the day of Pentecost. We need to turn our mind, will and emotions (computer hard drive) over to the Holy Spirit and let Him change the “default” settings which formerly messed up our lives.
Peter was prideful, self-confident and fearful. He often spoke without thinking, cursed and even lied until the day of Pentecost. Once the Holy Spirit filled him completely, he became another man, one who was bold and fearless. He proclaimed the truth in humility knowing his strength and salvation came from the Lord alone. We will keep repeating the same failures unless we turn over everything to the Holy Spirit to tune up, refine, re-arrange and even re-wire.
The Lord’s return is very, very soon but there’s a harvest out there waiting to be reaped. Souls are dying and going to hell every day. Therefore, we must allow the Lord full control of our lives in order to transform us into the spotless bride of Christ. As we die to self, the Lord will raise us up in power to be His witnesses wherever we go. We will seek to fulfill the call for all disciples to reach the lost in His name. May we become true believers, reaching for the goal of the High call of Christ Jesus. May we truly be able to call Him LORD!
